Brown and Morgan back for derby clash

GLOUCESTER will launch themselves into a Guinness Premiership derby against Worcester Warriors tomorrow and welcome back two key members of Dean Ryan's squad.

Both Alex Brown and Olly Morgan return to the starting line-up following injuries and will be part of a vastly different team from the one that lost to Sale in the last round of matches.

Brown comes back following surgery on a fractured jaw sustained against Harlequins and will partner Marco Bortolami at lock.

But the return of Morgan is even more significant. The England full-back has been out of action since Gloucester's 31-7 Heineken Cup victory over Bourgoin in December because of a dislocated shoulder and has not played since.

"Obviously, we have missed Olly's contribution in the squad since his injury because he is a very good player," said head coach Dean Ryan. "We are approaching the end of the season; we have players back who have operated in different playing environments during the Six Nations and also from injury so we must kick on now.

"Guys like Morgan and Alex Brown will play key roles between now and the end of the season and it is great to have them back for what is such an important game tomorrow.

"This is something we are looking forward to - there has been real focus this week."

In total, there are 12 changes to the team that lost 22-16 to the Sharks. Only loose-head prop Nick Wood, hooker Andy Titterrell and Akapusi Qera retain their places - although Qera moves to the openside flank to accommodate Luke Narraway at number eight.

Alongside Wood and Titterrell, Carlos Nieto returns at tight-head. Skipper Bortolami returns at lock alongside Brown and he will make his first start since Gloucester's defeat against Bristol in February.

Alasdair Strokosch, one of Scotland's stand-out performers in the Six Nations, starts at six, Qera moves to seven and Narraway comes in at eight.

"We have options available and have selected the side accordingly to fit this specific fixture - nothing more than that," Ryan said. "The focus has been really good this week - we are not looking at anything else other than tomorrow's game and have put a group together we believe will be very competitive.

"Not only are Worcester hugely competitive but when they play some rugby are a huge threat - it should be a cracking contest.

"Considering the disruption we have faced over the last seven or eight weeks to be in a play-off place is testament to the squad and we must build on that now."

In the backs, only Anthony Allen retains his place from the defeat at Sale. Scrum-half Rory Lawson comes in and will partner Ryan Lamb at half-back. Lamb has not started since Gloucester's 28-20 win over Newcastle at the end of February because of a shoulder injury.
Alongside Allen, James Simpson-Daniel will move into the centre and look to add to his six tries in 12 Guinness Premiership appearances this season.

With Morgan's return to the back three, Iain Balshaw switches to the wing and Lesley Vainikolo will complete the line-up.
On the bench, Jeremy Paul and Alasdair Dickinson are the front row options; Will James will cover lock and Gareth Delve number eight.

The back replacements are scrum-half Gareth Cooper, utility back Willie Walker and Scotland international Chris Paterson.

Argentine international Mariano Galarza made his Gloucester Rugby debut on Sunday afternoon, and despite a disappointing reverse to Sale Sharks, the giant Puma was just glad to be making his long-awaited bow in Cherry and White.

Having skippered Scotland to a hard fought 25-13 defeat against England at Twickenham on Saturday, Greig Laidlaw spoke of the frustrations of his side doing so many good things and making real progress as a team but still finishing on the wrong end of the scoreline.

GRTV caught up with Neil McCarthy as he was unveiled as the new Head of Academy. The ex-Gloucester front rower is looking forward to getting to work with the vast arrays of talent in the Academy and across Gloucestershire.

Although understandably disappointed to see Northampton snatch a 33-33 draw with a last gasp try on Saturday, Gareth Evans told GRTV after the game that the result shows how far Gloucester have come as a team this season.

Gloucester scrum half Greig Laidlaw spoke to GRTV after the 33-33 draw with Northampton Saints on Saturday, and the Scotsman described how the hosts played some great rugby, but will rue not holding the lead which keeps them in touch with the top seven.

Although Gloucester could take many positives from the 33-33 draw with Northampton Saints on Saturday, centre Bill Meakes admitted it was a strange feeling at the final whistle with Gloucester having probably done enough to win the game.

Speaking after the 33-33 draw with Northampton Saints on Saturday, David Humphreys admitted that he was happy with many aspects of the team's performance but regretted a missed opportunity to defeat the Premiership champions.

Hartpury U18s won the AASE league for the sixth year in a row last week beating Filton College in the Final at Allianz Park by 50 points to nil, while Bromsgrove School won their first NatWest U18 Schools Cup.

Gloucester Rugby would like to inform supporters about an exciting opportunity for you to raise money for your chosen charity or chosen cause. 2015 is an exciting year for Gloucester, with Kingsholm Stadium hosting four fixtures for Rugby World Cup 2015.